Breathing apparatus



. j: 9 Qu YM mj R. VGN @aie Hmm 9 y BREATHING Awmws' i Filed mg. 2v. 1939 s snemmmm @QL my w27 R.' VN ma@ HEME BREATHING APPARATUS n md Dee. 27. 1920 v 3 smmssmm 2' Oct. 11, 1927. 1,645,312

R. VON DER HEIDE BREATHING APPARATUS Filed DSC. 2.7. 1920 3 Sheets-Shot Hg. 7,

INVENTOR ,awwhm BY E2 n J TTORNEYS i Patented Oct. 1 1, 1927.-

aUNITED STATES 1,645,312 PATENT OFFICE.

:Brennan von nu Enma, or BERLIN, GERMANY.

BREATHING APPARATUS.

Application ledDebember 27, 1920, Serial No. 483,547, and in Germany December 27, 1919.

This invention relates to breathing apparatus comprising a supply of nutritive gas, a breathing. bag and a pressure reduclng valve,- or in other words to a breathing apparatus in which nutritive gas under high pressure, contained in a gas storagevessel,

in flowing out through an expansion nozzle,

is reduced to the pressure required for the purposes of respiration.

. -permanently flow out at a certain rate, this rate of discharge either being suoient to satisfy the greatest demand that .might occur at any time or being only suic1ent to supply enough gas for a small demand, the surplus of nutritive gas required 1n cases of an increased 'demand being supplied through a special valve manipulated by hand. The former mode of operation necessarily involves a waste of gas, and a drawback in connection with the latter mode of operation is that just at moments of more strenuous effort or intense action both hands of thebearer of the apparatus are generally occupied. thus rendering the turning on of an additional gas supply impossible.

ln distinction from these knownmethods the invention embodies an entirely new principle which resides in-using the movable wall ot the breathing bag itself as ai diaphragm for controlling the pressure reducing or regulating valve. `In this way the volume of respiratory gas supplied is regulated automatically in a faultless manner in accordance with the quantity consumed. Another advantage over the known methods is thatthe tensioned diaphragm of the vordinary pressure reducing valve .with all its disadvantages and the; spring action in connection with this diaphragm is done away with.

rlhe conditions of operation of the novel apparat-us are rendered particularly advantageous by an arrangement in which the movable wall of the breathing bag is caused to act on the longervarm of a double armed the Aforces Vacting in the apparatus is then lever whose shorter arm is made to openthe closing member of an inlet nozzle in opposition to a spring power. The distribution of vmay be small also.

such that on the one hand a high specific pressure .acts aty the inlet nozzle upon a small surface and a short arm of the lever, and on the other hand a small pressure acts in the breathing bag upon a large surface and a long lever arm. The said spring power required for closing the nozzle can then be made small so that the forces needed for counter-balancing the ledect of this spring Since, in addition to this, the movement by which the spring is caused to cease acting is executed by the long arm of the lever the play of the forces controlled by the breathing bag is an exceedingly delicate one and capable of exerting an effect on the slightest sinking or rising of the pressure in the bag.

A substitute for the said lever arrangement that may be' used in certain cases consists in the ratio of the active surface of the bag to the cross section of the nozzle being made large enough. l

By arranging the various parts in the manner described particularly favorable conditions for the practical construction of the apparatus are obtained and abovev all things a sure and easy response of the valve is secured.

A particularly important advantage obtained by certain forms of my improved constructions, is'that contents of the breathing bag can be reduced to an exceedingly small quantity, that is, the bag can be almost entirely deflated so that, in .comparison with certain other forms, the space in the breathply from. the supplementary device is grad-- uayband automatically .cut ofi. cordan'ce with the. invention. may also be used in connection with .self-contained diving apparatus for the purpose of regulating the contents of air in the diving dress in `such a way as to avoid or lessen'the danger arising through sudden drops to greater depths. This is accomplished bythe pressing tgether of the breathing bag (which reathing` apparatus operating `in acplementary respiration gas.

results when the pressure rises) being caused to effect the turning-on of a supply of sup- The fluctuations of pressure in the diving dress are caused to act upon the breathing bag through the medium of a pipe whose one end leads into the interior of the diving dress and whose other end issues in a casing in which the breathing bag is contained.

In order to meet all the requirements of practice, the invention provides still another device which enables the user of the breathing appara-tus to turn on a supplementary gas supply at will. This 'device consists of a pneumatic member, such as a hollow 'rubber ball, from which, on the ball being squeezed, air isexpclled which exerts pressure on a controlling lever (or levers) which turn on the supplementary supply of respiration gas.

Some constructional forms of the invention are illustratedmore or less diagrammatically in the drawing in which Fig. 1 shows in more or less diagrammatical form a section of a breathing bag with a gas supply valve controlled by a lever actuated by a movable wall of the bag,

' Fig. 2 shows diagrammatically a section of an extensible breathing bag in the form of a bellows whose movable wall controls the gas supply valve withthe aid of a straight rod,

Fig. 3 represents in longitudinal vertical section a practicalbreathing apparatus having a bag with one fixed side or wall and a valve control lever suspended in the bag and having a plate attached to vits lower end,

Fig. 4 illustrates in similar section a breathing 'apparatus having a bag with two movable or flexible sides, a fixed rod with a plate extending into the bag, and a lever pivoted at one end and having a plate arranged opposite to the plate attached to the fixed rod,

Fig. 4a shows the front elevation,

Fig. 5 shows a bag with plates simllar to those of Fig. 4 except that both plates are attached to levers with pivots at their top ends,

plate 19 of Fig. 4 in Fig. 5a shows in longitudinal verticalv section in larger `scale the detail of the double arm valve control,

Fig. 5"shows in detail the end view of the high pressure gas supply valve.

Fig. 6 illustrates diagrammatical fashion a bag in which a suspendedapla'te and its 'attached levers control the valves of two individu al gas supplies,

Fig. 7 shows in similar fashion an eouip-` -ment compr1s1n`g a breathlng bag with a vertical suspended lever controlling a gas supply, and a means for developing oxygen from. a chemical or chemicals. v

Fig. 8 represents the head piece of a divfied by an air purifying means (such as' is indicated in Fig. 3) is conducted into .the bag out of which it passes through the pipe 3. Connected to the lower end ofthe breathing bag is a terminal piece 4 which contains a nozzle 5 and an opening and closing member 6. The closing member 6 is attached tothe short arm 7 of a two-armed lever which is pivoted at 8 and whose longer arm extends into the interior of the breathing long arm by a spring 10 attached to a screw 11 in the movable side or wall 12 ot the breathing bag whose other wall 13 is assumed to be immovably fixed.

The short pipe 14 with which the nozzle bag. A pull is exerted on the end of the 5 is associated is connected to a supply of n nutritive gas (not shown). The nozzle or valve 5 is kept closed by the spring 10 until the deflation of the bag due 'to the consumption of nutritive respiration gas has proceeded to a certain point and 'the tension of the spring 10 is relaxed by the motion of the wall 12. -The closing member 6 then recedes from the nozzle and allows respiration gas to flow in until the infiation of' the bag which now takes place results in the spring 10 being tensioned again so that the closing member is again pressed against its seat and closes the nozzle. This alternate opening and closing of the nozzle or valve takes place continuously and automatically in accordance with the amount of gas consumed. p

In the apparatus shown in Fi g. 2 the one wall 12 of the breathing bag 1, which is constructed in the form of a cylindrical bellows. is arranged to act on the closing 'member 6 through a straight rod 15 ex- The closing member 6 arranged in the terminal piece or cap 4. when moved downward -in opposition to a. spring 18, opens the gas inlet. The air is inhaled from the bag through the pipe connection 3.

When the bag collapses its wall 12 together with the sleeve 16 and the spindle 17 move downwards. -The lower end of the spindle then presses down the rod 15 and causes the gas inlet -valve to open. The ratio of the cross sectional area of the gas inlet passage to the surface area of the wall 12 may be made such that the conditions of operation are practically the same as in the case of Fig. 1.

In the complete apparatus shown in Fig. l3 the upper end of a lever 9 carries a plate 19, which may be of any suitable shape. The movable wall 12 bears against the plate 19 when thebag collapses and by deflecting the lever causes the valve 2O to open in opposition t0 the action of the spring 21 to permit nutritious gas supply from storage reservoir 60.' Hence the wall 12 may consist of the ordinary material used for making breathing bags. the valve control device is ensured by the provision of the plate 19 which assumes the functions .of the afore-described' rigid or stiff bag wall. In other respects the operation is the same as in the case of Fig. 1.

ln the case of Fig. 4 there is provided., in addition to the lever 9 whichis provided vwith a plate 19, an arm 22 rigidly lixed to the base of the apparatus and extending upward in the bag in a direction parallel to the lever 9. The arin'22 carries a .plate 23 arranged opposite to the plate- 19 and having the same outline as the latter. rlhe plate 23 fulfils the Jfunctions 01EV the lixed wall 13 which, in the abovedescribed moditications, had to be used as a member whose position in space relative to the valve control lever is fixed. Thus invFig. 4 the plate' 19 is movable relative to the plate 23, and the valve 29 is made to respond as soon as the bag-which in this case is quite similar to an ordinary breathing bag-collapses to such an extent that its one wall bears against the plate 23 while its other wall biearsi4 against the plate 19.

By this arrangement the inner space of the reathing bag may be much more fully utilized because the deleterious or unused space which exists between the fixed wall 13 and the plate 19 of Fig. 3 is obviated. The eiect or a gas bag consisting entirely of flexible fabric, collapsing on 'two plates extending freely into the bag can be further enhanced for the purpose of controlling the gas admission in the manner shown inthe modiication Figures 5, 5a and 5*. lt will be noted that in Fig. 5 in addition to plate 19 which as previously described with reference to Figs. 3 and 1 controls the gas admission valve, a second plate 24. is arranged which plate, however, contrary to the illustration in Fig. 4 is not stationary but also connected with the valve control similar to the manner arranged with respect to plate 19. In Fig. 5, and as shown in detail in Fig. 5, plate 19 is carried by the arm 9 which extends freely into the bag and which is piv- The reliable action of' oted in thevalve casing at 77 and which engages near its pivot 4point the stem. 25 of gas supply `valve 73. The engagement occurs by way of an adjustable shoulder 7 8 which is threaded onthe valve stem. Plate 24 which is arranged opposite plate 19 in the bag is carried by a long lever arm 26 pivoted at 25, a short end 71 of this lever extending downward beyond pivot 25, this short arm engaging a shoulder also threaded on valve stem 25a so that it can be properly adjusted. The ree end of valve stem 253L is guided in a bushing 79 threaded into the rear extension of the valve 'casing 7 2, and a spring 21 is disposed between bushing 79 and shoulder 70, which when properly tension'ed by the adjustment of bushing 79 will hold valve 73 on its seat 76 against the high gas pressides engage bot-h plates 19 and 24 moving themltowards each other. rlhereby the arm'- portion of Ithe levers operatively connect with the respective shoulders 78 and 70 as hereinbefone described engage these shoulders simultaneously and jointlymove the valve s tem 25a to the left against the tension of spring 21 so that valve 73 is lifted from its seat. Breathing gas will now escape from the flask 60 and will pass into the valve casing by way of the small grooves 74 longitudmally arranged on theI surface of the valves 73 as shown in Fig. 5b. After the amount of nutritious gas consumed at the previous respiration period has been restored so that vthe bag is' again slightly inflated, levers 9 and 26 return-to their normal position thru the action of spring 21 and at the samel time valve 7 3 is again seated. As

will be noted from Figs. 5a and 5b the end'o valve 73 carries a small bolster 75 of suitable materialand properly polished so that tight closing of the valve is insured.

' The great advantageof this double lever action is that a. comparatively light bag can be used and that the atmospheric pressurev thru which the bag is collapsed is used to the fullest extent in operating the valve control levers.

The apparatus shown diagrammatically in 28 to be opened for the purpose of refilling` the bag. When this has been done the plate is relieved of the pressure of theY movable Fig. 6 comprises a flask 27 filled with comwall of the bag and the parts are restored to their normal positions.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatical illustration of an apparatus in which a chemical that develops oxygen is used.

34 represents a removable box containing the chemical, 35 is a casing enclosing the in halation and exhalation valves, v 36 is the mouth-piece, 37l the common breathing bag whose one wall bears against a fixed plate -38 and whose other wall moves against the plate 19 in the manner described with reference to Fig. 3 when the bag is deflated and thus causes the valve 20 of the supply fiask 39 `to be opened more or less in opposition to the spring 21. p

When breathing with the aid of the bag is commenced the latter contains no air. Hence when the first breath is drawn the valve of the flask will be immediately opened by the lever 9 `and Oxygen will flow in automatically until the chemical in 34 gives 0H sufficient respiration gas to the bag to cause it to release the valve control lever and stop the outfiowl of gas from the supply flask. If in consequence of a sudden increase in-physical exertion on the part of the user of the apparatus, an .increased demand for respiration gas ensues which the chemical cannot immediately completely supply, a delivery of gas from the supply fiask 39 will immediately and automatically commence.

Fig. 8 shows the breathing apparatus applied in an independent or self-contained diving apparatus lwhich is arranged for operation with oxygen and compressed air.

The oxygen 1s contained in the flask 40 and the compressed air in the flask 41. The

. discharge pipes from these fiasks terminate in valves 42 and 43v respectively arranged in a receptacle 44 which is closed to the exterior. The valves are controlled in the' above-described manner by levers connectedat their lower ends by a common plate 45 and extending into a breathing bag 46 arranged in the interior of theA receptacle 44.

A pipe 47 leads from the 'breathing bag into a divers helmet 48 and issues in a mouth-pipe 49.` The exhaled air i passes through the pipe 50 into an air-purifying device 51 and returns thence in la purified state through the pipee 52 into the breathing vice 51.

terior of the receptacle 44 and the .interior Vao bag. The breathing bag is arranged in the receptacle 44 in a compartment which is connected bya passage 53 to another compartment that contains an air-purifying de- Communication betweenL the inof the divers dress or armor is established by a pipe 54 that leads from the receptacle 44 to the helmet 48.

The supply of air required for beathingr is regulated 4as described by the wall ofthe bag pressing against the plate 45 when the, bag 1s deiiated and thus causing the resplration u pressed and this rise of pressure will be coma municated through the pipe 54 to the receptacle 44. and squeeze the bag together so that it will produce the same effect as in the case of a deficiency of air, y-i. e. it will cause the supply of respiration gas from the flasks to be turned on and thus into the diving dress.

In the equipment shown in Fig. 9 the general arrangement is the same as that in cause air to fiow Fig. 3 except that the parts are enveloped 80 in a box or receptacle 55. A pouch 56 is provided in the box and is connected by a flexible tube 57 with a hollow ball 58. When this ball is squeezed the pouch 56 is inflated so that it presses against the plate 19 ar` 35 ranged at the lower end of the valve control lever 9. It is seen that by this means the breathing bag Ican be filled at will.

It will be obvious that many changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of my invention.

I claim "V 1. A breathing apparatus comprising a source of high pressure gas for respiration,

a breathing' bag having a movable side, a 95 pressure'reducing valve directly connecting the bag with said source, a spring tending to close thev valve, a lever having a short =and .a long arm said long arm extending freely into said bag, the short arm being associated with the valve, two oppositely arranged plates, one of said plates being attached to the long lever arm and adapted to be moved with it toward the other plateby the said movable side, whereby the short arm of the lever relieves the spring pressure upon said valve, permitting the gas pressure to open it. 2. A breathing apparatus comprising a source of hivh pressure gas for respiratlon,

a breathing cbag consisting entirely. of lexible fabric, a pressure reducing valve directly connecting the bag with said source, a spring tending -to close the valve, a lever having a short and a long arm, said longv arm extending freelyvinto said bag, the short arm being associated with the valve, .two oppositely arranged plates disposed within said bag, one of said plates being attached to the long lever arm and adapted to be moved with it toward the other plate when the bag collapses, whereby the'short arm relieves the spring pressure .uponl said valve, permitting the gas mixture-to open" it.

3. A breathing apparatus comprising a source of high pressure gas for respiration,

a breathing bag consisting entirely of flesvf ible fabric, a pressure reducing valve directly connecting the bag to said source, a spring tendin to close the valve, two levers each having ong and short arms, both of la" said long arms extending freely into said the long lever arms and being engaged by bag, the pivotal points of said levers being the sides of the bag when it collapses, thereso disposed that the short arms simulby actuating the levers to move towards 10 taneously relieve the spring pressure upon each other.I

5 said valve thereby permitting the gas' pres- In testimony whereof I have signed this sure to open it when the long arms move specification. toward each other, and plates attached to Peor. Dn. RICHARD voN DER HEIDE. 

